The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-03-24
e3 Years Old.
THE VEN ERABLE SEXTON OF THoRNROsE
CEMETERY. HAS A SURPRISE PARTY.

THE VENERABLE SEXTON OF THoRNROsF
CEMETERY HAS A SURPRISE PARTY.
just bordering the corporate limits OF
Staunton is another city, scarcely less pop
ulous. Its streets are laid out with regu-
larity fountains play in its squares trees
and shrubbery and beautiful flowers are
seen on every side, and marble shafts and
slabs stand out in bold relief against the
emerald background. 1t is the silent city
of the dead, and those who slumber there
number 5000. Nearly every one of these
has been laid to rest by the same pair Of
hands hands that have grown hard with
the work of years and wrinkled by the
stealthy touch Of time. They are strong
hands still, and the venerable man to whom
they belong, despite his more than four
score years, is hale and hearty yet.
Last Wednesday was the SD birthday Of
Mr.. Patrick Mcnamara, who for more
than q third of a century has been the sex
ton of Thornrose cemetery. There are
few older residents of Staunton, and none
who are held in higher esteem or count a
greater number of friends. His anniyer
sary was selected as q proper occasion to
tender q testimonial of regard, and on
Wednesday night a small army invaded his
hospitable home. The party comprised
some twenty-five or more gentlemen, the
Guiding every class, calling and profession
merchants, lawyers. mechanics, doctors,
editors and business men. Mr.. W. FL. II.
Lynn had been selected to make the pre-
sentat ion, and he carried with him two
purses the one made of buckskin with
the name Of Patrick Mcnamara embroid
cred Oh i t in green silk, contained So gold
dollars and sprig OF shamrock whilst in
the other were the seventeen silver dollars
to round up the $500 subscribed by the one
hundred friends. Mr. G. Men. White
carried handsomely framed parchment,
on which was inscribed by City Treasurer
Hoge the following:
The undersigned friends of Mr. Patrick
Mcnamara. of Staunton, Va, recognizing
the uprightness, industry and usefulness
life and desiring to testify their personal
friendship and their respect for his sterling
worth, beg leave to tender him on this his
SD birthday. the accompanying purse as
token of their regard for him, with the
hope that it may in some degree contribute
TO his personal comfort and with the fur
tber wish that his useful and honorable
life may, in the Kindness of Providence,
be prolonged for many years.
The names of the hundred subscribers
were attached.
Upon reaching Mr.. Macs residence, the
company filed into the room and complete
~ surprised the venerable couple, who had
had no intimation Of the visit. With ear
nest eloquence Mr.. Lynn presented the
testimonial, and when the old man re
sponded his eye glistened and his voice
was husky with emotion. 1t was an i'm
pressive scene and one that will be long
remembered by those who witnessed it.
Mr.. Mcnamara was born on the 10th Of |
March, 1854, in county Of Roscommon, |
Province of Connaugh, Ireland. In 1886 |
he came to New York, and six months
later reached Virginia. He was employed |
on the James River s. Kanawha Canal and
other public works, until the 18th Of May,
1851, when be was elected Superintendent
of Thornrose Cemetery, position he has
held continuously up to this time. His
loEg and blameless life among our people
has won to him the respect of all who value
genuine worth and high character, and We
trust that his days may be prolonged to
include many another anniversary. and his
example Of good citizenship continue long
among us.